Maternity shared care alignment
Women wishing to attend the Mater Mothers’ Hospital (MMH) for their care during pregnancy and in childbirth have an option of GP shared care, which means most of their antenatal appointments are managed by their General Practitioner (GP).
While it is not essential to hold additional qualifications in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the GP should have adequate knowledge and skill in obstetric care and be familiar with the policies of MMH. GPs undertaking maternity shared care are expected to meet the alignment requirements for maternity shared care.
Shared care automatically implies that the responsibility for the health of the woman and her baby is shared. A referral to Dr Sarah Janssens, the Director of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Mater Mothers’ Hospital, should be submitted before 12 weeks' gestation whenever possible.
Initial alignment options
- Attend Mater Mothers' GP Shared Care Alignment Seminar 1 (six-hour course) OR
- Attend an affiliated GP Shared Care Alignment Seminar at Metro North Hospital and Health Service (HHS) and complete Mater Mothers' Hospital's Online Realignment and Bridging Course and quiz OR
- If you have additional qualifications in Obstetrics and Gynaecology or have been working as a GPO in the last three years, contact the GP Liaison to discuss.
Realignment options every three years
- Attend Mater Mothers GP Shared Care Alignment Seminar 2,3 or 4 in any order OR
- Attend an affiliated GP Shared Care Alignment Seminar at Metro North HHS or Metro South HHS and complete Mater Mothers' Hospital's Online Realignment and Bridging Course and Quiz OR
- Complete the Mater Mothers' Hospital's Online Realignment and Bridging Course and Quiz and complete an attestation form that you have:
- Reviewed the current Mater Mothers' Hospital GP Shared Care guidelines and/or SpotOnHealth Pathways AND
- Attended a minimum of six hours CPD relevant to Women’s Health in the past three years and be able to provide supporting documentation if requested.
Program details
GP Shared Care Alignment - Seminar 1
Completion of Mater Mothers' GP Shared Care Alignment - Seminar 1 is a requirement for GPs wanting to provide maternity shared care with Mater Mothers' Hospital. It is a multidisciplinary program with a focus on best practice maternity care in the general practice setting.
Topics include: first trimester presentations and recommended screening tests, screening for fetal chromosome and genetic conditions, medical complications in pregnancy (GDM, hypertension, pre-eclampsia), prescribing in pregnancy, recommended immunisations, perinatal mental health, domestic violence screening, and communication with Mater Mothers.
GP Shared Care Alignment - Seminar 2
Mater Mothers' GP Shared Care Alignment - Seminar 2 is a realignment option for GPs who have completed Seminar 1.
Topics include: preconception care and fertility, persistent pelvic pain, premature labour, ectopic pregnancy, infections in pregnancy and diabetes in pregnancy.
GP Shared Care Alignment - Seminar 3
Mater Mothers' GP Shared Care Alignment - Seminar 3 is a realignment option for GPs who have completed Seminar 1.
The program focuses on perinatal mental health and medical and obstetric complications in pregnancy.
GP Shared Care Alignment - Seminar 4
Mater Mothers' GP Shared Care Alignment - Seminar 4 is a realignment option for GPs who have completed Seminar 1.
Topics include: pregnancy loss and bereavement, trauma informed care, breastfeeding and postpartum care.
Online Realignment and Bridging Course
The online education option is for GPs who have previously attended a GP Shared Care Alignment Seminar at Mater Mothers or for GPs who have completed an affiliated program and want to provide maternity shared care with Mater Mothers' Hospital.
If you are completing this course to realign with Mater Mothers' Hospital, please complete the attestation form here to confirm that you have reviewed the current Mater Mothers' Hospital GP Maternity Shared Care Guidelines and attended a minimum of six hours CPD relevant to women’s health in the past three years and be able to provide supporting documentation if requested.
Note, you do not need to complete the attestation form, if you are completing this course as a bridge to Mater Mothers' Hospital after completing an affiliated GP Shared Care Alignment Seminar (e.g. at Metro South Hospital and Health Service) within the last three years.
GP Maternity Shared Care - Online Realignment and Bridging Program
If the recommended best practice protocols are not followed and management problems occur, alignment may be withdrawn. This is monitored by reviewing patient records. GPs who have not been following protocols will be contacted, either by phone or letter to inform them of their protocol omission. Repeated omissions or serious management problems will be reviewed by the Maternity Shared Care Advisory Committee and may result in withdrawal of Alignment.
If alignment is not maintained, the GPs name will be removed from the GP Maternity Shared Care Program database, which would preclude participation in Mater Mothers' Hospital's Maternity Shared Care.
